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Kohli and Sharma Retire from Tests and Face Challenge of Scattered ODIs

Anil Kumble questions whether the duo can maintain fitness across just nine ODIs before the 2027 World Cup.

Kohli and Sharma’s Test retirement saw 190 Test match experience taken away from the Indian team sheet in the upcoming series against England. (PTI)
Anil Kumble
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Rohit and Kohli during an ODI game | Image: ANI

Overview

  • Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma formally retired from Test cricket in May after exiting T20Is last year and will now play only one-day internationals.
  • Both veterans last featured in an ODI during India’s Champions Trophy triumph in March, where Kohli top-scored in the semi-final and Sharma earned Player of the Match in the final.
  • Anil Kumble warns that India’s nine-match ODI slate—three each in Bangladesh (August), Australia (October) and South Africa (December)—offers limited preparation time.
  • Selectors are widely tipped to name Shubman Gill as India’s next Test captain to fill the leadership void left by Kohli and Sharma.
  • Emerging batsmen Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan are among the contenders expected to strengthen India’s white-ball line-up in the upcoming series.